The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-07-21


great demand. One of them was occu-
pied by Tad Thornc, who. though he had
no business there, was enjoying the
warmth as only small, fourteen-year-
old boy can do, after being all day IN
the city streets crying parlor matches
at three cents per boX-''two for five.
Tad's enjoyment was tempered
by little mental worry, as a
matter of course. Nobody is entirely
happy in this world, and as he warmed
himself Tad was obliged To keep a
watchful eve on the door of the porter 5
room opposite. 1t was the duty OF
that colored functionary to assist
.tramps and vagrant boys from the
waiting-room, with scant ceremony.
Last night he :aid he'd bounce me if
he caught me here again unused Tad.
advancing first one patched shoe and
then the other toward the stove. but
/ shouldn't think the corporation would
rrudge what little fire it takes to warm
me-"
For time Tad remained in undiS-
luI COilllDi ~ li"'tiS B'-'''''
were constantly coming and going that
no one took particular notice of the
thinly-dressed, pale-faced lad who occa-
.sionally stretched his fingers caressing-
" toward the glowing Goals.
Its the first time I've been warm
clear through since last August
wish't could hold heat like hot brick
does" Tad soliloquizcd, as with an
involuntary SILVER he thought of having
to start out in the chilly air again.
'Is there no other place where you
can 90 and warm yourself, besides a
waiting-room only intended for the-er
patrons of the railroad?" asked a tall,
aIistocratic looking gentleman, with
iron-gray hair, and very dignified
manner, who occupied the next seat to
the one in which Tad was sitting. He
spoke severely and frowned at Tad, as
though the boys presence annoyed
him.
If his address had been more kindly,
Tad's reply would have been more
respectful. As it was, Tad scowled a
little.
There's places enough. l s'pose-
only they don't happen TO low boys
D.. who hasn't amy business there. round
specially if they amt dressed any bet
tern l am" he answered, sullenly,
glancing involuntarily down 1T himself
IS he spoke The tall man muttered
something about COMPOUNDED NUS
ance,' but made no further reply. And
as he rose. giving nervous glance at
the clock, Tad noticed that he wore a
long gray ulster, over n very nice suit
of clothes. while at one side of the seat
he had vacated lay his travelling rug in
a shawl-Strap, and a small alligator
skin sachcl with nickel-plate mount
iDgs.
Tad was wondering within himself
whether he ever knew what it was to
lie homeless. cold and hungry when he
was boy. when his meditatiOns were
disturbed by the violent ringing of
hand-bell, accompanied by the h0arSe
voice of one of the railroad officials
calling out something, of which the
words "eNpress" and passengers
were alone Ineligible to Tad'S ear.
This was followed by the usual frantic
rush toward tie great swing doors
leading into the depot. The tall gen
tleman sprang nervously to his feet,
and, snatching up his travelling rug.
shot through the doorway rs though he
had but five seconds in which to board
a train that did not start for ten min
utes, schedule time. Hi, there"
cried Tad after him, you've left your
little sachel!' but the gentleman was
beyond call. So, Selling the handbag
from the next seat, Tad elbowed his
way through the throng, into the depot.
in hot pursuit of him of the flowing
ulster.
Just inside the swing doors stood a
policeman of imposing presence. He
was n large fat man but extremely
Jealous. and his professional instincts
were at once reused at the sight of a
shabbily-dressed boy lodging in and
ont of the crowd. with nickel-plated
alligator-skin sachel in his hand. Step
ping hastily forward he laid a heavy
hand on Tad's shoulder.
Now. after the manner of his kind,
Tad regarded all policemen as natural
foes to be feared-and, as far as posi-
bic, avoided. So, no sooner did he
recognize the dreaded touch than, slip
ping eel-like from his would-be cap
tors grasp. Tad, with an inarticulate
CRY of terror, dove directly under the
wheels Of the nearest train.
The cars were at stand-still. of
course, but had they been in motion, l
am Eot so sure but Tad would have
acted exactly the same, so great was
mis- fear of arrest. True, in theory.
conscious innocence is generally sup
posed to show bold front, but unfor-
tunately this is not always the case in
practice, particularly in an issue be-
tween big policeman and small boy.
Tad emerged on the opposite side
of the track, with the encouraging cry
of Stop, thief ringing in his ears,
jus. in time to confront the blue
coated official, who, in some inexplica-
BILE way, had reached the spot as quick
~ as himself
"There he isr' shouted young
man, whom Tad had noticed in the
waiting-room little before, and, hesi-